Your mouth is an important feature. Not only is your smile likely the first thing that people notice about you, the health of your mouth can be critical to the health of your body. Keeping your mouth in top shape and well protected is important. If teeth become damaged or decayed, it’s important to have them fixed quickly.

Dental crowns are used for many reasons. Dr. Andrew Greenberg of Mouth Carolina Dentistry in Charleston, SC, uses ceramic dental crowns for several dentistry procedures. Dr. Greenberg helps his patients understand why crowns are used, the difference between a crown and a filling, how the procedure is performed, and the advantages of a dental crown.

What is a dental crown and when is it used?

A dental crown is a restoration that covers the entire surface area of the tooth. Unlike a filling that only covers a small spot of damaged enamel, a crown covers the entire visible part of the tooth. A dental crown adds an important layer of protection to the tooth, which helps prevent cracking or breaking.

Dental crowns can be used for several reasons. For example, they can be used on teeth with a weak structure due to large fillings or a root canal procedure. Teeth caps can also be used to rebuild teeth that are broken or cracked. Finally, dental crowns are used as replacement teeth in bridge and implant restorations.

Appearance: The ceramic material mimics the appearance of a natural tooth. Therefore, no one will be able to tell that you’ve had dental work done. With a dental crown, you can get back the confident and happy smile you used to have.

Protection: A dental crown offers great support and protection that can save the tooth. Without a crown, a tooth that is damaged could break and not be able to be saved. Extractions can be expensive. The dental crown can help a patient avoid that procedure.

How are dental crowns placed?

Dental crowns require two trips to the dentist’s office. During the first trip, the mouth is examined, x-rays and impressions are taken, and the tooth is prepared for the crown. In some cases, preparation of the tooth requires removing a small amount of enamel from the tooth and surrounding teeth to allow the crown to fit properly. The dentist will then send his specifications for the crown to a dental laboratory where the crown is created to be an exact match in shade and shape so that it will blend perfectly with the remaining teeth. Once the cap is prepared, the patient will return to the dentist’s office to have it placed.

Dr. Greenberg is pleased to offer dental crowns as one of his many restorative and cosmetic dental treatments. For more information about dental crowns or to schedule an appointment, call the Mouth Carolina office today at (843)751 4262.